Looking to unite friends in the celebration of David J. Smith’s birthday, tournament founders David Smith and Michael Palumbo decided to hold an annual gathering for golfers in April 2004. Despite initial beliefs that the yearly tournament would not succeed, both Smith and Palumbo persevered through the early months. Although the first Classic saw just six golfers tee off, only three putted in on the eighteenth green to sign their scorecards. Michael Palumbo was crowned Champion in 2004 with an “unpublished” score of 101.

Notwithstanding the low turnout, in 2005 the Founders made some critical decisions that remain today. First, the Founders proposed the event be called the David J. Smith Golf Classic. This proposal received the unanimous support of all contributing members and so it is called at present. Also, the tradition of the Champion’s Jacket was established at this meeting. Each Champion receives his own unique jacket at the Award’s Ceremony following the tournament’s conclusion. There is no official jacket color because it depends on the current selection at a local Goodwill store; however, all such jackets are monogrammed with the official logo of the David J. Smith Golf Classic. Along with the Champion’s Jacket, each Classic Champion receives a lifetime exemption to play in all successive tournaments (an award unparalleled in the world of sports to date).

On April 30, 2005, nine competitors stepped onto the first tee at Sugar Creek Golf Club. Austin Hays of the Commonwealth of Kentucky captured medalist honors and the coveted Champion’s Jacket. Tearing out of the gates early with a 42 highlighted by birdies on one and eight, Hays never looked back en route to 87 (+15), the lowest eighteen hole score recorded in Classic history! Hays bested Joseph Palumbo of Canfield, Ohio, who rallied late with a birdie on the long par-5 seventeenth hole, by seven shots.

Twelve players struck their opening tee balls under bright sunny skies on April 22, 2006. This marked the third consecutive year the Tournament Committee staged the event at Sugar Creek Golf Club. Tournament Chairman David Smith stiffed his second shot on the par-4 dogleg right second hole leading to a birdie and the top spot atop the leaderboard (he was in the first group out that day). Yet it was not enough as the 2004 Champion, Michael Palumbo, earned his second Jacket in three years by posting a magnificent round of 89. Ryan Schneider of Botkins, Ohio was two shots back.

Who will join the Pantheon of Champions in 2007? Check back in late April to see the results.